PANEL SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract: A device (1) for supporting a second panel in edge-to-edge relationship with a fixed panel, the support device (1) including a support plate (2), means (16) to permit the support plate (2) to be attached against the fixed panel, and means (4) for aligning the support plate (2) to overhang the fixed panel by an amount sufficient to support the second panel in the said relationship. The support plate may include a lip (5) to assist in placing the second panel on the support plate (2).

Description: PANEL SUPPORT DEVICE DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a device for supporting a second panel in edge-to-edge relationship with a fixed panel. In particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the device for assisting in the fixing of plasterboard and other sheet materials to walls, ceilings and partitions. Walls, ceilings and partitions of many buildings incorporate plasterboard which leaves a smooth surface to the wall or ceiling. Plasterboard is much easier, quicker and less messy to erect than wet plaster is to apply. Since plasterboard is supplied in flat panels, a plasterboard fixer must cut the panel to a desired size and attach it to the wall, ceiling or partition usually by means of screws or nails. A framework is usually constructed to suit the dimensions of the panel so that the very edge of the fixed panel is supported by a frame member to which the panel is fixed. The framework is usually made from metal or wood. Plasterboard is quite brittle and will easily snap under its own weight if not supported correctly. Plasterboard panels are difficult to support correctly whilst being offered up to the framework, particularly if the panel is to be fixed to a ceiling. Furthermore, larger plasterboard panels are difficult to handle since they are very heavy. A plasterboard fixer will offer the panel into the desired position using two hands to give adequate support. The plasterboard fixer must then remove one hand to hold a hammer or screwdriver and the other hand to hold a nail or screw in order that the panel may be fixed into position. During the fixing of the panel, the fixer will often use his head to support the panel. The fixer may also use temporary propping e.g. a "deadman''. This has the disadvantages that the panel may move during the attachment leaving large or uneven gaps between adjacent panels, or the panel is in danger of damage due to incorrect support. These disadvantages apply for example, to fixing plasterboard to walls, ceilings, soffits and partitions. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least reduce some of the above disadvantages. One aspect of the present invention is a device for supporting a second panel in edge to edge relationship with a previously fixed panel, the support device including a support plate, means to permit the support plate to be attached against the fixed panel, and means for aligning the support plate to overhang the fixed panel by an amount sufficient to support the second panel to be fixed in the said relationship. Preferably the support plate includes a lip to assist in placing the second panel, to be fixed, on the support plate. Preferably also, the alignment means aligns the support plate so that the attachment permitting means is aligned with the fixed panel. According to the preferred embodiment, the means to permit the support plate to be attached against the fixed panel includes holes through the support plate. It is an advantage to further include spacer means disposed on the support plate for spacing the support plate from the fixed panel. Normally the fixed panel is fixed against a support member and the spacer means spaces the support plate away from the fixed panel to assist in placing the second panel between the support plate and the support member. Preferably the alignment means includes a flange extending from the support plate and disposed across the support plate to abut against the edge of the fixed panel. In most situations, the edge of the fixed panel is fixed to a frame member of a framework so that the frame member overlaps the edge of the fixed panel and the device is attached directly to the frame member through the fixed panel. Preferably the alignment means aligns the support plate so that the attachment permitting means permits the device to be attached to the framework member. The device may be provided with a handle or hook, preferably at one end thereof, for example, by bending part of the support plate into a U-shaped portion or by providing a separate handle attached to the support plate. Further, the device may include means by which the device can be levered from a fixed panel to which it is temporarily secured. Such means may be at one end of the device and may comprise an extension of the support plate protruding therefrom. Alternatively, said lever means may be formed as an extension of a separately formed handle attached to and extending along the underside of the support plate, in which case, that extension may be located at the end of the device remote from the U-shaped portion of the handle. According to another embodiment, the support and alignment means are integrally formed and/or the support plate and spacer means are integrally formed. The support device may be constructed from metal, plastics or other material either in the form of sheets, extrusions or mouldings. The support device is particularly useful when it is adapted for assisting in supporting plasterboard panels on walls or ceilings or for assisting in supporting partition panels. Another aspect of the invention resides in a method of supporting a second panel in edge to edge relationship with a fixed panel using a device in accordance with the invention, which method comprises attaching the support plate against the fixed panel, aligning the support plate to overhang the fixed panel by an amount sufficient to support the second panel in edge to edge relationship with the fixed panel, and placing the second panel on the support plate, so that the second panel is supported by the device in edge to edge relationship with the fixed panel. An embodiment of the present invention and some of its applications are now described by way of example only with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the device according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a sectioned view of the device attached against a fixed panel, and a panel to be supported being inserted into the device; Figure 4 shows a sectioned view of the device attached against the fixed panel, and the second panel being offered into place; Figure 5 shows the second panel supported on a wall by two devices of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a panel supported on a sloping wall or soffit by devices of the present invention; Figure 7 shows two support devices supporting a second panel on a ceiling; Figure 8 shows two devices supporting a second panel upstanding from a horizontal soffit; Figure 9 shows a second panel supported in a second layer with the framework constituted from a head track, a floor track and studs between the tracks; and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a modified form of the embodiment of device shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the support device 1 includes a support plate 2, a raised flange 4 extending from a face of the support plate 2 and a spacer plate 3 which lies on the support plate 2 clamping the flange 4 into the position shown in Figure 1. The raised flange 4 is part of an alignment plate 14 which is upturned along one edge to form an L-εhaped section. The upturn forms the raised flange 4 which extends perpendicularly away from the rest of the alignment plate 14. The alignment plate 14 lies on the support plate 2 so that the raised flange 4 projects outwardly from the surface of the support plate 2. The support plate 2, alignment plate 14 and spacer plate 3 each have a series of corresponding through-holes 6 which permit passage of a nail, screw or other fixing means therethrough. The support plate 2 also includes a hook or handle 7 which enables the support device 1 to be hung on a belt and to be easily manipulated by the user. Once the support device 1 has been attached, the hook 7 can be used to support tools such as a power screwdriver. The handle 7 may be formed by bending part of the support plate 2 into a U-εhape, or by attaching a handle made separately from the support plate 2. The spacer plate 3 and raised flange 4 lie on only a part of the support plate 2. The rest of the support plate 2 has the function of assisting in supporting a second panel of plasterboard during attachment. The second panel temporarily rests on the support plate 2, and to assist in placing the edge of the second panel on to the support plate 2, the support plate 2 includes a lip 5 which is angled to present a deeper slot for insertion of the second panel. The term "second panel" herein refers to the panel which is to be fixed. The raised flange 4 has an added purpose in that when attached, measurements may be more accurately taken from the edge of a fixed panel 12 since the tab of a tape measure may be inserted between the fixed panel 12 and the raised flange 4. Figure 2 shows the construction of the support device very clearly. In this embodiment, the support plate 2, the alignment plate 14 and the spacer plate 3 are each made of sheet steel. However, it might be cheaper and more effective to make the parts from other materials such as plastics, or to make the whole or part of the device in the form of an extrusion cut into lengths. The handle 7 could then be attached separately. The raised flange 4 is the part which is most easily damaged by being dropped, and this could be made to be replaceable. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the attachment of a second panel of plasterboard to a wall, ceiling or partition 8 will be described. Framework member 9 may be attached to a structure such as a ceiling or wall 8 to permit attachment of the plasterboard thereto. The framework members 9 are arranged to run parallel to each other, the distance between subsequent members 9 permitting each panel of plasterboard to abut at the approximate mid point of the frame member 9. Once a fixed panel 12 of plasterboard has been attached, it is simple to use the support device of the present invention. The fixed panel 12 may be a small x rip' panel which ie easy to handle and takes very little t.ime to put up. A fixed panel 12 is shown in Figures 3 and 4, attached to the framework member 9 by a screw 11, nail or other fixing means. The support device 1 is placed against the fixed panel 12 with the spacer plate 3 lying flat against the fixed panel 12, and the raised flange 4 abutting the edge of the fixed panel 12. The raised flange 4 aligns the support device 1 so that the holes 6 line up with the frame member behind the fixed panel. The support device 1 is then nailed or screwed against the fixed panel 12 by one or more nails or screws 10 passing through the holes 6, through the fixed panel 12 and into the frame member 9. The support device 1 is therefore securely supported. The second free panel of plasterboard 13 can then be supported by the support device 1. An edge of the second panel 13 is pushed across the lip 5 and on to the support plate 2 where the second panel 13 rests. Once the second panel 13 abuts against the raised flange, the plasterboard panel 13 is positioned as shown in Figure 4 into its final position. The second panel 13 may then be screwed against the frame members 9 and, once securely attached, the support device is unnailed or unscrewed and moved along ready to support the next successive panel. One great advantage of the present invention is that the nails or screws 10 pass through the plasterboard and into the frame members 9 very easily. The device takes only a few seconds to attach to the frame members 9, and a few seconds to remove, but makes attachment of the panel 13 much quicker and easier. It is expected that this device will permit a fixing job to be completed in less time than the job would take using conventional methods. The present invention will permit the use of larger plasterboard panels since they are easier to support. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, many walls, ceilings and partitions require multiple layers of plasterboard to achieve a required specification. Since the raised flange does not extend from the support plate any further than the thickness of one plasterboard panel, the only difference required is the use of longer nails or screws 10 which must pass through two or more panels of plasterboard before reaching the frame member 9. In many situations it is advantageous to use more than one support device so that the plasterboard panel is more securely supported by the support device. Figures 5 to 8 show examples of this. In Figures 5 to 8 it is optional whether more than one support device 1 is used depending on the size of the panel and experience of the fixer. Also in Figures 5 to 9, the holes 6 through the support device 1 are shown. In this embodiment four holes 6 are included, three of which are in a line so that a nail or screw 10 will pass through each hole 6, through the fixed plasterboard panel 12 and into the frame member 9 behind. The fourth hole 6 provides support where the frame member 9 runs perpendicularly to the support device 1 and the outer two holes 6 of the row of three holes 6 will not engage with the frame member. In practice, it has been found that generally only one nail or screw 10 is required passing through the most central hole 6a.. It might be expected that, once the support device 1 has been removed, the raised flange 4 will leave substantial gaps between panels. The raised flange 4 should be of minimal thickness. The support device 1 assists the fixer in aligning the panel more accurately thereby reducing the possibility of large or uneven panel gaps. This embodiment of the invention relates to temporary support of part of a plasterboard panel, but may equally effectively be applied to mounting other types of panel or other sheet material. Figure 7 shows two devices 1 supporting a second panel 13 on a ceiling. It is particularly useful to use two or more support devices in this situation, particularly if the fixer is not experienced in fixing plasterboard. An experienced fixer might only require a device 1 located to support an end of the panel 13. Figure 8 shows a panel 13 being supported in an upstanding position from the ceiling. The upstanding position is frequently used where the ceiling height increases e.g. leading to a skylight. Figure 9 shows a support device 1 supporting a panel 13 in edge to edge relationship with a fixed panel 12 to form a second plasterboard layer. The plasterboard is fixed to a framework including a head track 15, a floor track 16 and stud 17. Referring now to Figure 10, here is shown a modified form of the embodiment of device described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2. This modified device 1' comprises all the components of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, namely, the support plate 2, spacer plate 3, flange 4, lip 5, through-holes 6, 6a and a handle or hook 7. However, it also comprises an extension 2' of the support plate 2, which extension 2' protrudes from the end of the support plate 2 remote from the U-shaped portion of the hook or handle 7. If the hook or handle 7 is formed separately from the support plate 2, then the extension 2' may be formed as part of the hook or handle 7, such that it protrudes from the end of the device 1' remote from the U-shaped portion of the handle or hook 7. In this case, the separate handle or hook 7 may be secured to the underside of the support plate 2 so that it extends therealong. In either case, the extension 2 ' provides means whereby the device 1' can be levered from the fixed panel 12 to which it is temporarily secured, for example, by nail. Such levering can be effected by locating the claw portion of a claw hammer, or other suitable lever means, between the extension 2' and the fixed panel 12 to which the device 1' is temporarily secured and from which the extension 2 ' is slightly spaced, and then levering the device 1' from that panel using the hammer or other lever means in a levering action.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for supporting a second panel in edge to edge relationship with a fixed panel, the support device including a support plate, means to permit the support plate to be attached against the fixed panel, and means for aligning the support plate to overhang the fixed panel by an amount sufficient to support the second panel in the said relationship. 2. A support device according to claim 1, wherein the support plate includes a lip to assist in placing the second panel on the support plate. 3. A support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means to permit the support plate to be attached against the fixed panel includes holes through the support plate. 4. A support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alignment means aligns the support plate so that the attachment permitting means can be aligned with the fixed panel. 5. A support device according to any preceding claim further including spacer means disposed on the support plate for spacing the support plate from the fixed panel. 6. A support device according to claim 5, wherein, when the fixed panel is fixed against a support member, the spacer means is arranged to space the support plate away from the fixed panel to assist in placing the second panel between the support plate and the support member. 7. A support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alignment means includes a flange extending from the support plate and disposed across the support plate to abut against the edge of the fixed panel. 8. A support device according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the edge of the fixed panel is fixed to a framework member so that the framework member overlaps the edge of the fixed panel, the device is attachable directly to the framework member through the fixed panel. 9. A support device according to claim 8, wherein the alignment means is arranged to align the support plate so that the attachment permitting means permits the device to be attached to the framework member. 10. A support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support plate and alignment means are integrally formed. 11. A support device according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the support plate and the spacer means are integrally formed. 12. A support device according to any preceding claim including a handle to enable the device to be manipulated easily by a user. 13. A support device according to claim 12, wherein the handle is U-shaped. 14. A support device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the handle has been formed by bending part of the support plate. 15. A support device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the handle is made separately from the support plate to which it is secured. 16. A support device according to claim 15, wherein the separately made handle is secured to the underside of the support plate and extends therealong. 17. A support device according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the handle is at one end thereof. 18. A support device according to any preceding claim including means by which the device can be levered from a fixed panel to which the device is temporarily secured. 19. A support device according to claim 18, wherein said lever means comprises an extension of the support plate, protruding therefrom. 20. A support device according to claim 19, wherein the extension protrudes from an end of the device. 21. A support device according to claim 20, when dependent upon claim 17, wherein the extension protrudes from the end of the device remote from a U- εhaped portion of the handle. 22. A support device according to any preceding claim constructed from metal sheet. 23. A support device according to any of claims 1 to 21 constructed from plastics material. 24. A support device according to any preceding claim formed by means of an extrusion. 25. A support device according to any of claims 1 to 23 formed by moulding. 26. A support device according to any preceding cla.im adapted for assisting in supporting plasterboard panels on walls, ceilings or soffits. 27. A support device according to any of claims 1 to 25 adapted for assisting in supporting any rigid sheet material. 28. A method of supporting a second panel in edge to edge relationship with a fixed panel using a device according to any preceding claim, which method comprises attaching the support plate against the fixed panel, aligning the support plate to overhang the fixed panel by an amount sufficient to support the second panel in edge to edge relationship with the fixed panel, and placing the second panel on the support plate, so that the second panel is supported by the device in edge to edge relationship with the fixed panel.

Inventors: EARP MICHAEL JOHN, EARP, MICHAEL, JOHN
Applicants: EARP MICHAEL JOHN, EARP, MICHAEL, JOHN
Application year: 1994
Main classification: E04F21
IPC codes: E04B9, E04F13, E04F21